Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart will hang up his gloves at the end of the season after a hugely respectable career in football spanning over 20 years.
The Englishman couldn’t have chosen a better place to end his playing days because, among the Parkhead faithful, he is a true favourite.
Since he came in the door amid a period of utmost transition, Hart has given his all for the club. He is the true definition of a player who wears his heart on his sleeve.
Some can just talk the talk, but the 37-year-old can walk the walk, too, and that was proved in Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie with Aberdeen when he saved the decisive penalty to send the Hoops into the final.
Regardless of what happens at the end of the season, his antics in the shootout will never be forgotten, but a moment in green and white that will live long in the memory of the stopper came in the Champions League.
When Hart was at Manchester City, the iconic anthem was always jeered due to the club’s poor relationship with UEFA but at Celtic, it is quite the opposite.
He told CeltsAreHere and other fan media: “The Champions League anthem, when it first got played when we played Real Madrid, my whole body shook, electricity went through me and my eyes welled up, I was like oof.
“The pure excitement and passion of the place all the time just makes me smile and makes me happy and makes me grateful to be here.”
European nights at Parkhead are particularly special and it is fitting that Hart marked his last with a win over Feyenoord back in December.
He will hope to end his overall career similarly over the next month as Celtic fight for a double.
Joe Hart this and Joe Hart that , it’s all you are on about now.